Rickie Lambert: My Liverpool switch is a dream come true

Lambert completed a £4m switch from Southampton to Liverpool yesterday to take the Scouser's career full circle and leave his parents shedding tears of joy.

The England striker, 32, was rejected by the Reds as a 15-year-old after being told he wasn't good enough.

And he admits his longed-for return via spells at Blackpool, Macclesfield, Stockport, Rochdale and Bristol Rovers has been tugging at the family heart strings.

"All my dreams, wishes and what I wanted at the start have come true in the end," said Lambert, who at one stage had to work part-time in a beetroot factory to make ends meet.

"It's been a long time, but it's finally come true.

"I've loved this club all my life.

"I left here 17 years ago and I haven't stopped loving it since. To be back here now, having just signed at the age of 32, is hard to describe.

“I left here 17 years ago and I haven't stopped loving it since. To be back here now, having just signed at the age of 32, is hard to describe”

Rickie Lambert

"I did kind of think the chance had gone.

"I've been trying to keep it as quiet as possible and tell only my close family. My mum and dad shed a few tears when I told them, especially my mum.

"It's not just playing for Liverpool, it's the fact I'm coming home. I've been away for eight years.

"My mum and dad have loved watching me play football all of my life, even when I was a kid, so it's been hard for them not being able to come and watch.

"The fact they've got their son home - and the fact he's playing for Liverpool - is unbelievable.

"When I knew of the interest from Liverpool, the first thought was of playing and scoring in front of the Kop and how it might be a possibility. Now that I've signed, it could become a reality."

Lambert, who has signed a two-year deal, didn't make the grade at Liverpool first time round but picked himself up to forge a prolific career in the lower divisions.

He joined Southampton in League One for £1m in August, 2009.

His 117 goals in just 235 appearances for the Saints propelled them into the top ten of the Premier League and him into Roy Hodgson's World Cup squad for Brazil.

"It's going to be hard to keep my emotions in check the first time I pull on the Liverpool shirt - I'm not going to lie," he said.

"It's going to be very emotional, not just for me but also for my family. These kind of moments are driving me on and when I get these moments, I seem to produce my best performances and I'm able to use it to my advantage.

"I think I am prepared mentally now for almost anything. I know how big Liverpool are. It means everything to me, but I know what is important.

"I know that's what matters, and that's what I'll be focused on.

"They've had an unbelievable season. I hope I can just help them push on again and hopefully clinch the title. That is everyone's dream, and that is what we've got to believe we can do."